Impact Investing & ESG for Mushrooms: Online Course — Photo: unknown author · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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Impact Investing & ESG for Mushroom Ventures

Attract impact investors and report credibly on environmental, social and governance performance in fungal and agri-food ventures.

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Level

Course

Modules

Duration

2–3 months

Format

Live online

Certificate

Course Certificate

Language

English EN

School

Business

Programme identification

1.1Programme name: Impact Investing & ESG for Mushroom Ventures
1.2Type of qualification: Course
1.3Provider / endorsing institution: Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mushroom Business & Entrepreneurship. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
1.4Mode of study: Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits): 2–3 months · 6 modules. Teaching hours are confirmed in the guide for each intake. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme).
1.6Language: English
1.7Start and end dates / intake: Intakes open throughout the year. Admissions confirms the start and end dates of the next intake. How intakes work →

impact investing agri-foodESG for food startupstheory of change startupimpact measurementsustainable food investment

Overview

2.1Programme description

This course helps founders and investors bring impact capital into fungal and agri-food ventures and report on performance honestly. You will learn how impact investing and blended finance work, define a theory of change, apply ESG frameworks and materiality, measure and report impact, pitch to impact funds and foundations, and avoid greenwashing and impact-washing.

Mushroom and fungal businesses often tell compelling sustainability stories: upcycled residues, low-land-use protein, alternatives to plastics or leather, rural jobs. Impact investors and large buyers increasingly ask for evidence behind those stories, and vague or inflated claims can damage credibility and attract regulatory scrutiny. The course suits founders, finance leads and investors working with mission-driven ventures. You apply common frameworks to real fungal business cases and practise turning claims into measurable indicators. In the final project you prepare an impact and ESG pack for a venture, including theory of change, material ESG topics, a small set of impact indicators with data sources, a draft impact report section and a short pitch for an impact investor or foundation.

2.2Why it matters / what need it meets

It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in business, useful in areas such as Impact investment, Agri-food and alternative protein, Biomaterials and circular economy, Philanthropy and foundations.

Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.

Objectives and competences

3.1General objective

To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:

Attract impact investors and report credibly on environmental, social and governance performance in fungal and agri-food ventures.

3.2Specific objectives

Build the foundations: Impact investing and blended finance explained; Defining your theory of change.
Put them into practice: ESG frameworks and materiality; Measuring and reporting impact.
Apply everything to a real case: Pitching to impact funds and foundations; Avoiding greenwashing and impact-washing.
Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.

3.3Competences you will gain

Explain how impact investing and blended finance differ from conventional finance.
Draw a theory of change for a fungal or agri-food venture.
Identify material ESG topics and suitable indicators.
Prepare a credible impact report section with data sources.
Check sustainability and impact claims for greenwashing risks.

Student profile

4.1Who it is for (entry profile)

Founders and investors.

4.2Entry requirements

No finance background is required; basic familiarity with business plans is helpful. A venture or case to work on is recommended.

4.3Career paths (exit profile)

Founder raising impact capital
Impact and ESG manager in a food or materials start-up
Analyst at an impact fund or foundation
Sustainability reporting coordinator
Consultant in impact measurement for agri-food

Sectors

Impact investmentAgri-food and alternative proteinBiomaterials and circular economyPhilanthropy and foundations

Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.

Study plan

5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)

Module	Title	Phase	Topics
01	Impact investing and blended finance explained	Foundations	3
02	Defining your theory of change	Foundations	3
03	ESG frameworks and materiality	Practice	3
04	Measuring and reporting impact	Practice	3
05	Pitching to impact funds and foundations	Application & project	3
06	Avoiding greenwashing and impact-washing	Application & project	3

6 modules · 2–3 months. Each module combines live sessions, campus study and exercises. The hours per module are set out in the guide for each intake.

5.2Content by module

Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.

5.3Company placement

This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.

5.4Final project

An impact and ESG pack for a venture with theory of change, indicators, report section and investor pitch.

Methodology

6.1How it is taught

Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
Exercises and real case studies in every module.
Tutoring: your professor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.

6.2Platform and resources

A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.

Technical requirements →

6.3Estimated weekly workload

About 4 to 6 hours a week: the live session plus study and exercises on the campus. Admissions confirms the schedule of each intake.

Assessment

7.1Assessment system and weighting

You are assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as theory-of-change maps and indicator sets. The final impact and ESG pack is reviewed by the professor.

40%Participation and module exercises

60%Final project

7.2Requirements to pass

Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
Hand in the module exercises.
Have your final project approved by your professor.

Teaching team

8.1Academic direction

The Business at Fungaris coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.

8.2Faculty

Taught by professionals who work in the field. The professor of each intake is confirmed before the start.

Meet our faculty →

Certificate

9.1Certificate awarded

Course Certificate

On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.

9.2Issuing body / recognition

Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.

About our certificates →

Admission and enrolment

10.1Admission process (steps)

Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.

10.2Documents required

A valid identity document.
Contact and billing details (personal or company).

10.3Deadlines

Places are limited for each group. Admissions gives you the enrolment deadline for the next intake.

10.4Fee and payment options

Fee: ask admissions; it is quoted in US dollars (USD).

Full payment before the start, with a 20% reduction.
40% reservation and the rest in monthly instalments during the programme.

Fees and financing →

10.5Grants, discounts and funding

Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them. Admissions tells you about any discount available for your intake.

10.6Cancellation policy

The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.

Cancellation and refunds →

Additional information

11.1Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to study Impact Investing & ESG for Mushroom Ventures?

No finance background is required; basic familiarity with business plans is helpful. A venture or case to work on is recommended.

How is Impact Investing & ESG for Mushroom Ventures taught?

Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.

How am I assessed?

You are assessed through participation in live sessions and module exercises such as theory-of-change maps and indicator sets. The final impact and ESG pack is reviewed by the professor.

What is the final project?

An impact and ESG pack for a venture with theory of change, indicators, report section and investor pitch.

What certificate do I get?

On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.

What can I study after Impact Investing & ESG for Mushroom Ventures?

The natural next step is Diploma in Mushroom Business Management.

11.2Alumni testimonials

We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.